I am writing a review on a bike after a long time. So I hope it is informative and well written. This review might be controversial because many people may not agree with what I say.
The cbz was one of the first 150 cc bikes to be launched in india. It was launched way back in 1999. At that time and even now it is seen as a trend-setter and a superb performer by many people. But that was a few years ago (okay, maybe even now in the eyes of a few people). Now there are many tough competitors which offer excellent performance and looks. the cbz is slowly getting outdated .The reasons? read on..
The cbz when it was launched was easily the best looking bike in the scene. Even I thought so when it was launched because at that time there were hardly any good looking bikes. Now there are the extra aggresive pulsars, radical graptors and the elegant fiero fxs. Some people feel that the cbz still looks good, but I definitely don’t think so. It was recently subjected to a cosmetic makeover because even the guys at hh seem to have noticed this. the headlamp is not even multi reflector and is charecterless, unlike the pulsar which is brutish, the fiero fx, like a cruiser and the graptor, chunky.
The side of the old cbz looked better. you people tell that the victor glx 125 sucks because of its colorful stupid graphics, then what about the cbz? the side is okay anyway. its long legged look is rather nice. the rear is bland. the tail lamp is a small rectangular one. I like the one on the graptor the best. so I don’t think the cbz looks really good. it is okay, just another option.
the engine displaces 157 bhp which is the most in its class. But power is lesser than the pulsar 150 dtsi which has an engine which can displace just 144 cc. The graptor is much more powerful. The cbz is capable of pumping out around 12.5 horses at 8000 rpm. So it is not really a powerful bike.
Now over to the performance. The bike has sold well mainly because of this aspect. It is good, but way behind the pulsar 150. 0-60 km/h comes in around five and a half seconds while the top speed is close to 103 km/h. these figures by themeselves are good but the pulsar has a top speed of more than 115 km/h.
The fx/f2 and the graptor both have top speeds more than the cbz. But in acceleration it is fast. In fact it is among the fastest in its segment. the unicorn claims a figure of 5 seconds. The cbz is comparable to this. The top speed of the unicorn is 101 km/h and so the cbz is quicker. The cbz is quite refined at low speeds. But as the speed increases, at around 70 km/h it starts to vibrate and loses out. Refinement is very low. But some pros include the fact that it is a relaxed cruiser on the highway. It can just keep going on and on when you are riding at low speeds. performance is a mixed bag. very good but not the best.
the ride and handling of the cbz can be described as good. it is long legged and this helps in swallowing irregularities on the road with ease. the broad wheels help it to remain very stable and steady. handling is excellent. So there is good control over the bike. speaking of control, the cbz has very good brakes. it feels good and comes to a halt from 60 km/h in just a little more than 2 seconds.
Fuel efficiency is the last thing I would like to mention. But I have to. Because the cbz is so uneconomical in fuel consumption. It can travel just 45 km/l on the highway and less than 40 in the city. these figures are very poor. Even a pulsar 180 can manage much better figures. Real fuel guzzler, the cbz.
The cbz could be called the best bike, a few years ago, but not now. In looks, I don’t think it is that good. In performance it is good but still it is not the best. Ride and handling are quite good and there is no fault in that, so is braking. The price is around 55 k which is okay, but at the end of the day, with the rising fuel prices, it is fuel efficiency that matters. But the cbz sucks in this. So if you still feel like it, buy the cbz. If not, just go ahead and buy the pulsar or any of the other bikes for that matter.
PS:please leave your comments and rating.
PPS-do not give your rating based on what you feel on the bike, give it based on how the review is written.
Thanx!